Bill: HB 782, 87(R) - 2021

Committee

House Elections

Companion Bill

SB 1430

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Positive

Author(s)

Valoree Swanson

Co-Author(s)

Briscoe Cain

Bill Caption

Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 782 would require a proposition to substantially submit the question with such definiteness and certainty that the voters are not misled.  The bill would allow a person to seek from a court a writ of mandamus to compel the governing body of a city to comply with the requirement. HB 782 would also prohibit signature illegibility from disqualifying a signature for a petition so long as other verification requirements are met. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports HB 782 because it aligns with our limited government and individual liberty principles. Municipal governments should not be allowed to purposefully use confusing language to distort the meaning of a ballot proposition in order to unduly influence voters or influence the outcome of a ballot proposition. 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 11:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/87r/hb782?print_view=true